Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”
Social Media and Small Businesses goes hand in hand, which is why I was anxious to be in attendance. I wanted to meet small business owners who might be interested in learning more about Social Media and Blogging and how itcan attract more consumers thereby, increasing their bottom line.
The doors to the Summit opened at 7:30 am, and on this bitterly cold day, the hot Continental Breakfast Buffet was definitely a warm and welcomed delight. At each place setting was a copy of Delaware Business Times, the agenda and a personalized Stylus Pen.
There were well over 300 attendees and the agenda was jam packed with valuable information with sets of panelist who provided insights on how small businesses can increase their profits, gain more exposure and the programs available to all regardless of disabilities, race, or gender.
After a brief introduction by Ken Anderson, Director of DEDO, and a few words from both the Mayor of Dover, Robin Christensen and Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, the first set of panelist were seated to discuss Prospects for Delaware Small Businesses NOW and in the Future.
Ken Anderson, Director, DEDO
Bernice Whaley, Deputy Director, DEDO Robin Christensen, Mayor of Dover
Between sessions, Mr. Anderson acknowledged various members in the audience and awarded several door prizes.
The second set of panelist discussed Challenges and Opportunities-Business Ownership and Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.
Carrie Dennis-Mayer, door prize winner Dust Away Cleaning Services, Inc.
The final session of this half day program was presented by Michelle Morin, Executive Director, DE Office of Supplier Diversity. Her topic, Small Business Focus Program-Implication and Opportunities for Small Businesses of a Certain Size Regardless of Race or Gender, was very informative and sometimes entertaining.
The Summit concluded with Keynote Speaker, Governor Jack Markell who spoke about his signing of Executive Order 44 and the innovative ways in which Delaware seeks to keep the economy moving forward by providing assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
This was especially evident with the many entrepreneurs in attendance who have taken part in Project Pop-Up, which provides 3 months of rent-free space in downtown Wilmington.
Governor Jack Markell Executive Order 44
The Delaware Small Business Summit was a wonderful opportunity for small business owners to network and share as well as receive vital information that will not only help them succeed but will also help keep the economy in the state of Delaware strong.
Does your state have programs for Small Business owners and entrepreneurs?
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby fully decorated for the season
Most of you know that hubby will retiring this summer after 32+ years of service with the State of Delaware. Although he will be leaving the School District he won’t be leaving the workforce…at least not entirely. He may not know where the next phase of life will take him, he does vow not to have to wear a suit and tie again.
So with a closet full of them, where will they go after my sons have raided his closet, the answer is simple, they will be donated to Goodwill. Hubby may be leaving his job, but in donating his suits, ties, suspenders and shoes he will be helping to create jobs for others.
Using this online Goodwill Donation Calculator we can determine just how much our donations will be helping the community. For example, one man’s suit will provide 14 minutes of resume preparation and a pair of shoes will provide 19 minutes of the same.
Try it out for yourself as you pack up your donations.
You may not be leaving a job, but if your spring cleaning includes clearing out a cluttered closet to make room for more stuff, pack it up and donate it to Goodwill.
I’ll be the first to admit it, but hubby isn’t the only person that needs to clean out their closet…mine is due for some serious purging…need to make room for new shoes!
For more information on just how your donations work, check out this “How We Do It” PSA.
For far too many years, we have had several relatives affected by cancer, mostly breast but lung and colon cancer has also reared their ugly heads. We watched them go through treatment, recovery, get worse, become survivors or die. Cancer don’t care who you are, where you live, or even how you live.
Lung cancer has taken the lives of smokers as well as non-smokers and breast cancer invades the bodies of men as well as women and for far too long.
We have watched the deterioration of some and dealt with the sudden death of others. We have grieved as a family and attended the funerals and memorial services. Cancer don’t care about any of this.
My mother-in-law battled colon cancer, she put up a good fight, in and out of Hospice Care for over a year until her small frame, weighing less than 100 lbs could no longer take it…she died on Saturday August 31, 2013.
“You have cancer” is a phrase that no one ever wants to hear, especially a healthy, active, non smoking, non drinking man who is entering his next phase of life. Retirement papers signed after 32 years with the State of Delaware…now onward to that 2nd half of life and getting a start on the “honey-do” list.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Colonoscopy began at the age of 45, he ate little to no red meat, exercised daily, had a happy life with a happy wife and kids in slow suburban Middletown, DE.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Years of pain and an irritable bowel, yet, no detection of cancer, until one specialist working in God’s favor does an endoscopy and there is was hidden in the small intestines.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Diagnosed on the 21st…surgery on the 26th with no signs it has spread, and guess who’s home today!
This month is running wild and flying by way too quickly, there has been a whirlwind of activity in my life and that’s not even including the last snowstorm of the season. (fingers crossed) All of it has definitely been wonderful and exciting, some I can speak about, others not just yet, but it’s all good news!
I lost my 2005 Hyundai Sonata due to engine failure and replaced her with a 2010 Hyundai Accent.
Hubby completed his retirement paperwork, so on July 1st, he will officially be retired from the State of Delaware – congrats, I’ll give you the “honey-do” list on the 1st of August, a few weeks before our 24th Wedding Anniversary.
The 2014 Goodwill Runway Show was fantastic, I hope you had an opportunity to read the post, if not, click here. I twisted my ankle a few hours before the event and had to change shoes 3 times, but thankfully, it wasn’t worse and I made it through the night with a smile!
On Tuesday I taught a Blogging 101 Class which is sponsored by The Money School of Delaware and there were some awesome attendees whose participation was great.
Tomorrow the temps are expected to reach the upper 50’s, so if you are getting a jump on your Spring Wardrobe don’t forget to enter to win a $50 Gift Certificate to Midnight Velvet.
Now, let’s get this party started!
Congratulations to this week’s Featured Bloggers, please check the #WWDParty Pinterest Page as they are posted there as well.
Please feel free to place this button onto your blog
simply fresh dinners
For the Love of Decorating
I’m Perfectly Human
view from the Fridge
True Blue Baking
Carrie This Home
Jordan’s Onion
The rules are the same and we ask that you follow your hosts on at least one Social Media Platform
I look forward to relaxing, reading and commenting on your posts (only if I see a link back to the #WWDParty). Thanks you for stopping by and sharing, have a fantastical weekend and enjoy the warmer weather if you are in the MidAtlantic area!
If you read my post yesterday you know that we were once again hit with a major snowstorm on Tuesday. It took me over 5 1/2 hours to get home from work and I definitely didn’t want to be in the car anytime soon so I stayed home on Wednesday. At 10:00 a.m. Governor Markell lifted the Level One State of Emergency but it was highly recommended to stay off the roads so that the snowplow operators could do their jobs with minimal interruption from cars.
So on this day, I am thankful for my family, friends and faith…for getting home safely…for having a warm home to live in…and for scrounging around to find these ingredients to make this easy peasy Crock Pot Meal!
Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray for easier cleanup. Cut Turkey Sausage into bite size pieces and add seasoning to a 1/2 cup of water.
Put sausage into Crock Pot and pour in Fajita Seasoning mix.
Add frozen veggies and both cans of beans, which can be drained and rinsed to remove some of the sodium.
Stir, cover and cooked on high for 4 hours.
This Snow Day Slow Cooker dish was served with Jasmine Rice and skillet Cornbread.
It was a perfect meal for my men after a few hours of shoveling and an all-day of television watching! I measured the snow on the back deck so I’ll say that we unofficially got 11″ of snow….can’t wait for Spring to arrive!
The Pool is not looking too inviting these days!
Snowy Street in Summit Farms (our neighborhood)
We are truly blessed, and I am thankful to have a warm home during this cold winter season. I pray for those with less to be safe and removed from harm’s way.
Okay, it’s your turn – what are you thankful for this week?
Delaware Today Magazine Announces the First Delaware Today Fashion Awards
Delaware Today magazine is set to host the first Delaware Today Fashion Awards on Wednesday, September 25, at Deerfield, to honor the talented individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Delaware’s fashion industry.
The event, which runs from 6-9:00 p.m., will recognize the Fashion Awards nominees featured in the September issue of Delaware Todaymagazine. The nominees were selected by the public through an online voting process; however an esteemed panel of fashion experts will choose the winners. With categories ranging from makeup artist to photographer, and boutique to best-dressed Delawarean, the Delaware Today Fashion Awards will identify a wide range of fashion professionals, from promising new talents to established forerunners who have influenced fashion in the community.
The winners from each of the 11 categories will be revealed live at the event. As mentioned, Delaware Today has partnered proudly with a variety of fashion experts to serve as judges. They include: Joan Bernard, owner of Barbizon Modeling & Talent Agencies in Wilmington and Philadelphia; Kelly Cobb, designer and assistant professor of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware; Colleen Moretz, fashion designer and owner of Colleen Couture; and Dallas Shaw, fashion illustrator and style expert. Ms. Shaw also graces the cover of the September issue of Delaware Today.
Guests will enjoy cocktails and music, and have the opportunity to view the industry’s hottest products and trends. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
The Delaware Today Fashion Awards are sponsored by Christiana Mall, Wilmington Country Store, Designer Consigner, Hillary J. White Salon, Kate’s Lens Photography, Kristina Ruggerio Cosmetics, Salon by Dominic, Claire’s Fashions, Gloss Salon—and many more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Stand By Me, a statewide financial empowerment program that gives every Delawarean the opportunity to meet with their own financial coach. The organization is a coalition of community partners, led by the State of Delaware and United Way of Delaware.
Today was the last day of school for my son at Appoquinimink High School and he is now officially a Senior (pray for me). If your kids are also out of school and you are looking for family friendly summer activities, here are a few websites listing budget friendly options.
Hello friends, last week I had an opportunity to attend Delaware’s Small Business Summit which was held at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, Delaware. This free event was sponsored by the Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) whose mission is “to be responsible for attracting new investors and business to the State, for promoting the expansion of existing industry, for assisting small and minority-owned businesses, for promoting and developing tourism, and for creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens in Delaware.”
